The Zachary Carson Brain Tumor Fund (“Zach’s Fund”) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston was created in 2007 to find a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) which are inoperable, malignant tumors in the brain stems of children and are the deadliest of all pediatric cancers with a less than 2% survival rate. Zach’s Fund is directly supporting innovative research led by Mark Kieran, MD, PhD, Director of Pediatric NeuroOncology at Dana-Farber. To date, Zach’s Fund has raised over $900,000 which Dr. Kieran and his colleagues are using to fund innovative research leading to medical breakthroughs.

Our son Zachary was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in June 2005 at the age of 17 and lost his valiant battle with this deadly disease in September 2007. The difficulty of accepting that our vibrant son had a terminal cancer was exacerbated by learning that despite the deadliness of diffuse pontine gliomas, little public funding is available to find a cure.

We set out to change this unacceptable situation by setting up Zach’s Fund as a charitable trust at Dana-Farber and creating an event fundraising arm for Zach’s Fund called A Premiere Cause. All proceeds from events sponsored by A Premiere Cause go directly to Zach’s Fund for the sole purpose of funding innovative research to find a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas. We can think of no greater way to honor Zachary and the lives of all the children horribly taken by this deadly disease.

Please join us to find a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas – the deadliest of all pediatric cancers – by making a tax deductible donation now to Zach’s Fund through the Dana-Farber website. We are moving towards our goal to find a cure … please come with us and donate now.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute provides expert, compassionate care to children and adults and is home to groundbreaking cancer discoveries. The Institute is consistently ranked the number one cancer hospital in New England by U.S.News & World Report. Founded in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars through thousands of community efforts to advance Dana-Farber's lifesaving mission.